To think too many people are happy to live off benefits forever?

[BritishQueue]

Okay, I know this is a touchy subject here on MN, but I need to ask, AIBU to think that too many people are just choosing to stay on universal credit rather than work?

Obviously, I’m not talking about people who genuinely can’t work - disabilities, carers, etc (even though a lot of those who claim to be unfit for work are perfectly capable, and I’ve seen “carers” for people who don’t actually need any care…). But I know multiple people who are completely able-bodied and yet have no intention of ever getting a job. They say things like “it’s not worth it” or “I’d be worse off working,” and honestly, I don’t get it. I work full-time, pay tax, and yet I see people getting rent paid, extra handouts, and still managing holidays and luxuries I can’t afford. Not to mention that a lot of women think the government should subsidise their SAHM lifestyle.

I just don’t understand how it’s fair? Surely benefits should be a safety net, not a lifestyle choice? AIBU?

Well report them for benefit fraud instead of quietly fuming about it.

My friend was telling me that his brother in law and partner both worked in the Uk for 6 years. They now are working remotely in their home country in S America, claiming UC at £1100 each. And apparently they only need to come back after six months to check in (after submitting fake medical evidence). Is this even possible?

Hear hear. So much clueless froth being spouted on here. I'm no longer even convinced most people want fairness after reading this thread and some others - except fairness (however they perceive that) to them, of course.

At the end of the day, we need to do what is best for the country as a whole. Not individual people. It is not viable to keep going the way we are going, with more and more people reliant on benefits to survive.

This is where the problem lies

How do we go back, though, @OonaStubbs? If we cut the amount of money people on benefits get, this will plunge a lot of people into poverty, or further into poverty. A lot of those people will be children, who are not at fault for their economic circumstances, and who have no way of doing anything to lift themselves out of poverty. Another group will be disabled people - a group who already face extra hurdles in finding jobs, and whose living expenses are often higher because of their disabilities.

Do we go back to the days of the workhouses? Or starving children?

How do we balance the books without causing misery for blameless people?

Yes actually. The family member isn’t concerned what the money is being spent on.
For the purpose of claiming benefit and the family member not having to pay their share to the government, it going on fabulous holidays.
No problem with the holidays. Just don’t claim benefits while you do it.

A gradual tightening up over the next decade or so, that way people can realise that they need to buck up their ideas, train for work, not have children that they can't afford to feed.

There is no alternative btw. It's either do it now or kick the can down the road for someone else to deal with.

OP I'd like examples of people living a cushy life on benefits. Not making by while keeping their kids in squalor, but having it better than working a well paid job

This makes no sense. I think you are just jealous of this person that has a mum who pays for her holidays. No wrong doing is occurring.

Oh, and they have to be less disabled too?

Why is it always down to jealousy?
She could still go on the holidays and not claim UC. The £300 is less than the upgrade to business she paid for.
It's an absolute piss take.

They’ve been reported multiple times. Hasn't made one iota of a difference

Going on holiday is not against UC rules. You only have to declare if you are out of the country for more than a month.
She is doing nothing wrong.

@BlessedBeTheGroot I’m not saying it’s against current rules. I am with all the posters who are saying people are taking the piss.
Clearly UC isn’t for people who have enough funds to go on several long haul holidays a year. But if you think that’s ok then we shall agree to disagree.

Then it could either be that you didn't report with factual evidence so there was nothing for them to do or they did take action and after investigation (perhaps by requesting bank acc statements, etc), didn't find anything wrong.

You said her mum pays for the holidays.

Yes it’s the mums money. In mums bank account.

So it has nothing to do with UC or DWP. This person is not even using her own money to go on holiday - it is gifted. Gifts are allowed. I am on UC, and if someone bought me a car, then I wont have to declare it. It is allowed.
My partner takes me out for meals and buys me tickets for events, and pays for hotels. Nothing to do with UC. Nothing to declare. Literally. People on UC can do nice things.

@BlessedBeTheGroot There’s nice things and one off help. Then there’s taking the piss.
She has no need to claim UC. She does because she can. Not because she needs to.
If she had worked full time she would not get enough leave to cover all her holidays. It’s madness the tax payer is funding this. I know she’s just one person but it’s just ridiculous it’s even possible.

Everyone should have the opportunity to do nice things. But everyone shouldn’t expect the government to fund the nice things via benefits, that other working tax payers have to work to fund. They should work to fund it themselves or if gifted from family members not take benefits at the same time.

The government support should go to those who really need it. Not those who know how best to play the system.

People taking benefits because they can, rather than need, are the people who are breaking the current system and will be responsible for some people with a genuine need losing out.

The person I am quoting says the lady she knows has her holidays paid for by her mum. No wrong doing is occurring there. Yet they seem to think it should not be allowed.

UC is means tested. So if she claims it, it is because she has little savings or income. Is she between jobs, so job seeking? She wont be able to go on holiday as her work search commitments would interfere too much. If she is classed as too poorly to work, then she can spend her time as she likes. Holidays are a good boost for mental health.
Her mum gifting her holidays has no bearing on the amount of UC she gets. The only time some one else is taken into account is partner that you live with. In which case, you have a joint claim. No adult has a joint claim with a parent.

My family member pretends not to live with her boyfriend who works overseas. She pretends to be a single parent and rents a private property in her name. She receives over £2000 per month UC to support her and her 3 children. She works 30 hours per week in a school.

Her boyfriend saves money in his name to keep her eligible for UC and pays for fabulous holidays for his family.

Do people really think that this is ok?

The country is on its knees financially and I don’t think it’s ok. As said before she believes that she is only claiming what she is entitled to and not doing anything wrong.

If her boyfriend does work overseas, then her UC claim may be legitimate. It depends on how long he is overseas for. It also depends if he actually lives with her. Does he have a UK residence, and it is her address? Is he on the electoral role at the same address as her?
You can be a married couple, and if your spouse works overseas over a certain amount of time, then you will be entitled to UC.